A tattoo is a decision you make for life. But do you always know what you want? People change, and that’s completely normal. You keep evolving, and at some point, the tattoo might no longer feel right. That’s completely natural. There are two ways to get rid of a tattoo: You can have it removed with a laser, or you can choose to cover it up.
The best option for you depends not only on your personal preferences, but also on the type and size of the tattoo and the area of the body. In many cases, however, a combination of approaches is used: first, laser treatment is applied, and then a cover-up tattoo is created. This is because, contrary to the grandiose promises made by many doctors, not all traces of ink can be removed with a laser.
Lasers: How Do They Work?
If you remain convinced, even after giving it a lot of thought, that the old tattoo really needs to go, then laser removal is probably the right choice. However, laser removal can be painful and often takes longer than tattoo removal. Nevertheless, laser treatments are considered safe compared to the methods previously used, such as acid, files, and/or liquid nitrogen.
The laser emits intense, brief flashes of light at a specific wavelength onto the tattoo from a very short distance. The flashes of light are barely visible, but they penetrate up to 4 millimeters deep into the skin. They break down the tattoo’s color pigments into small fragments that the body eliminates through the lymphatic system. These particles are eliminated through the kidneys and intestines, at least for the most part. It is likely that some pigments and fragments will remain in the body.
Of course, this isn’t done in a single session, but over the course of several appointments. The number of sessions required depends on the size of the tattoo, the person’s age, and the design. Some laser treatments can take years. The situation is different if the laser treatment is “only” intended to prepare the tattoo for cover-up. In general, this can be done in just a few sessions.
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Many companies offer laser tattoo removal. However, only doctors are legally authorized to perform these treatments. They do not necessarily have to work in a medical office; instead, they may be employed at a tattoo parlor and also offer other cosmetic treatments as dermatologists.
Make sure that the doctor treating you is properly trained in laser therapy. Because lasers are dangerous. High-quality medical laser systems are safe when used correctly. If they are not handled correctly or if other laser systems are used, the treatment is not safe and can cause burns, inflammation, and pigmentation disorders, which often result in scarring. Since January 2021, the law stipulates that laser removal may only be performed by doctors with the appropriate training.
Cover-up tattoo: turn the old into the new
A cover-up is always a good option if you like tattoos in general but aren’t sure what design to choose. There are two options: You can opt for a pure cover-up, in which case the old tattoo is incorporated into the new design as-is. This means it no longer stands out on its own but becomes part of a new design.
The second option involves partially removing or fading the old tattoo using laser treatment. What remains of it can be incorporated into the new tattoo. Alternatively, the new tattoo can cover the remnants of the old one.
Cover-up tattoos require a great deal of experience and artistic skill. That’s why it’s best to find an artist with experience in cover-up tattoos. That’s the only way you can be sure the result will look convincing.
Hiding doesn't always work.
A cover-up isn’t like a sticker that you simply place over your old tattoo to make it disappear underneath. The old tattoo doesn’t disappear at all; instead, it (hopefully) blends seamlessly with the new one. Therefore, the design of the cover-up should not only suit you and your current life situation, but it should also be chosen so that the old tattoo fades into the background. It’s not enough to just “put something around it.” A cover-up isn’t a frame; it makes the old tattoo visually disappear.
It’s no easy task. Take your time when looking for a tattoo artist. Cover-ups are the ultimate challenge in the art of tattooing. Take a close look at the artists’ portfolios. Make sure the chemistry between you and your artist is right. Long conversations and recommendations that are carefully considered and then discarded are an essential part of finding the right artist. Ask for advice and ask questions.
Of course, all of this takes time, effort, and money. But it should be worth it. Because you don’t want to risk having to cover your tracks in a few years.
The Details: How Artists Work
We’ve already mentioned this: with a cover-up tattoo, the artist integrates the old design into the new one. As a result, the new tattoo is much larger than the old one. The colors and shapes need to match, and the style of the cover-up is usually the same or very similar to that of your old tattoo. A classic black skull (realism) can be incorporated into an Asian-style tattoo to some extent. But it will be difficult with other designs.
The structure is roughly as follows: The artist creates a design that covers and surrounds the old tattoo like a blanket. The old tattoo thus becomes part of this “blanket,” which, of course, has to be larger than the original tattoo. The new design is created in such a way that the focal point is placed in an area that was not previously tattooed, thereby drawing the eye away from the old tattoo.
The colors of the new tattoo should be chosen so that the old one blends in. The pigments from the old and new tattoos will mix, so a cover-up always requires several layers of color. Some pigments can only be covered with black, while others allow for more options. However, the cover-up will always be darker than the old tattoo. For this reason, very dark tattoos are lightened with laser treatment before applying the cover-up.
Various coverage techniques
In fact, there are many different ways to create a cover story:
1. Touching up existing designs: If your tattoo has only lost a little color and definition, you can simply have it touched up. The tattoo will be touched up and look like new again.
2. Covering up existing tattoos: Small, light-colored tattoos are suitable for this method of cover-up. The old design is covered with a new tattoo. The new tattoo is naturally larger and darker than the old one.
3. Incorporating old tattoos into a new design: If you don’t want to or can’t completely cover up your old tattoo, you can also incorporate it into a new design. Sometimes this works wonderfully well stylistically (for example, when the small, solitary rose on your forearm blends into a new floral pattern), but it can also result in a complete stylistic break. This is what’s known as a radical change.
These styles are suitable for covering
Not all tattoos can be covered up so easily with a cover-up. Certain requirements must be met for the new tattoo to look really good. Important factors include the size, color, and depth of the old tattoo, as well as your preferences for the new tattoo. These requirements determine whether your tattoo is suitable for a cover-up:
- The tattoo is quite small, and there's plenty of skin around it in an area that's easy to tattoo.
- Your tattoo is monochrome or uses just a few colors and is quite vibrant.
- The tattoo has already faded a bit and looks a little "worn."
- Your tattoo consists of simple letters, numbers, or words that your artist transforms into a colorful design.
- Curved lines and shadows can be easily incorporated into a new design (the rose mentioned earlier is one example) or can be concealed in the dark shadows of a new design.
Intricate styles like dotwork can be better concealed with a cover-up tattoo, but you can’t make a large tattoo disappear under dotwork. The new design will always consist of traditional, neo-traditional, or tribal styles, and biomechanical designs are also suitable.
Even a coat needs care
Just like your first tattoo, your cover-up also needs care. After all, the design should retain its vibrant color for a long time, and the outlines should remain sharp and defined. Make sure the cover-up heals properly.
By the way, you can also use a tattoo to cover up unsightly scars from accidents or burns. However, the scar must be completely healed first. Be sure to find a tattoo artist who has experience with the different skin structure of scar tissue and knows how to work with it. Scar tissue heals differently, and covering it up will likely take several sessions and months to heal.